Beach umbrellas in Portugal – a two-print series captured at that beautiful post-beach, pre-party time of day when the tide is coming in, and you’re heading home from the beach, skin warm from the sun, salt in your hair, sand in your shoes, and a bottle of champagne waiting in the fridge…
There’s something about a beach umbrella that instantly puts me in a relaxed, vacation state of mind. Maybe it’s the way they dot the shoreline with bright colors and patterns, adding a playful contrast to the soft, neutral tones of the sand and sea. Or maybe it’s the way they create an intimate little oasis of shade, offering a spot to sit back, listen to the waves, and watch the world go by.
I’ve always been drawn to the shapes and lines of beach umbrellas—the way they lean into the wind, their fabric rippling slightly, the strong but elegant curve of their poles anchoring them into the sand. They’re practical, of course, providing much-needed relief from the sun, but they also carry a certain nostalgia. A beach umbrella can feel like a memory: a childhood summer spent by the shore, a dreamy afternoon lost in a book, a long, lazy lunch with toes buried in the sand.
When I photograph them, I look for moments where they become part of the landscape in an effortless, almost abstract way. Sometimes it’s a solitary umbrella, standing defiantly against a vast expanse of sky. Other times, it’s a cluster of them, their overlapping shapes forming patterns that shift with the light. Whether they’re pristine and perfectly positioned or slightly askew from a gust of wind, they always tell a story of seaside days well spent.
I love how a simple object like a beach umbrella can evoke such a strong sense of place and feeling. They remind me that the beach is not just a destination, but an experience—one that invites us to slow down, take in the view, and just be. And really, isn’t that what makes time by the ocean so special?
